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This is my family. The little one? That’s my silly, vibrant, lil sister Pip. The strong, sweet guy in the back? That’s my Step-Dad Victor. And the beaming, beautiful blonde, hugging me (Jolie)? That’s my amazing, superhero of a Mom, Chrisann (aka Mamabean).
It’s a happy picture. But like most there’s more than meets the eye: This photo was taken right after my Mom was diagnosed with an incredibly rare cancer called Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS). She has bravely fought this for 2.5 years, always with a smile on her face, a skip in her step and the crazy-amazing spirit she’s known for. If you know her, you know my Mom has energy and enthusiasm that positively lights up a room.
But her cancer is now stage four. After 35 radiation treatments and major surgery to remove her first tumor, Mom’s meds have stopped working. As a result the cancer has spread to her lungs, bones, and is causing a significant amount of pain.
Due to their location and number, the tumors in her lungs have been diagnosed “unresectable”. That means a surgeon can’t remove them. She has so many tumors in her lungs, that a radiology report simply read “innumerable growths”. Recent scans show many new tumors in her hip, bones and lungs.
There are reasons to be hopeful: What we have on our side? ASPS is a slow-growing cancer. Reducing my Mom's tumors via surgery/radiation along with drug treatments could REALLY boost her chances of long-term survival.
There is a drug doctors believe can stop the progression of her cancer: Afinitor. But my mom's insurance provider, United Healthcare, has denied coverage. Novartis, the company that makes Afinitor, has also denied us financial assistance.
This is insane, when you consider that Afinitor COSTS OVER $10,000 A MONTH. Yes, you read that correctly. Novartis somehow believes families have $120,000+ per year in extra income available for medication.
This drug could make ALL the difference for my Mom. It could even save her life. But she can’t get access to it. Like most families, we don’t have $10,000 available each month for medication. As a result, my Mom is fighting for her life, without the very thing she truly needs.
That’s why we could really use your help. And time is of the essence.
Mom has shown strength and positivity in the face of constant bad news from her doctors. Despite her pain, fear, exhaustion from treatments, she has NEVER let cancer define her, change her love of life and laughter, or interfere with her unique ability to bring happiness to everyone she comes in contact with.
Mom has been here for us through every challenge. Now we want to be here for her, too. By helping her get the medicine that will kick the Big C to the curb.
From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it. If you’d like to share this link on your Facebook and/or Twitter feeds too, we’d be so grateful to you, for helping us get Mamabean as much help and support as possible!
THANK YOU,
Jolie aka Joliebean
It’s a happy picture. But like most there’s more than meets the eye: This photo was taken right after my Mom was diagnosed with an incredibly rare cancer called Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS). She has bravely fought this for 2.5 years, always with a smile on her face, a skip in her step and the crazy-amazing spirit she’s known for. If you know her, you know my Mom has energy and enthusiasm that positively lights up a room.
But her cancer is now stage four. After 35 radiation treatments and major surgery to remove her first tumor, Mom’s meds have stopped working. As a result the cancer has spread to her lungs, bones, and is causing a significant amount of pain.
Due to their location and number, the tumors in her lungs have been diagnosed “unresectable”. That means a surgeon can’t remove them. She has so many tumors in her lungs, that a radiology report simply read “innumerable growths”. Recent scans show many new tumors in her hip, bones and lungs.
There are reasons to be hopeful: What we have on our side? ASPS is a slow-growing cancer. Reducing my Mom's tumors via surgery/radiation along with drug treatments could REALLY boost her chances of long-term survival.
There is a drug doctors believe can stop the progression of her cancer: Afinitor. But my mom's insurance provider, United Healthcare, has denied coverage. Novartis, the company that makes Afinitor, has also denied us financial assistance.
This is insane, when you consider that Afinitor COSTS OVER $10,000 A MONTH. Yes, you read that correctly. Novartis somehow believes families have $120,000+ per year in extra income available for medication.
This drug could make ALL the difference for my Mom. It could even save her life. But she can’t get access to it. Like most families, we don’t have $10,000 available each month for medication. As a result, my Mom is fighting for her life, without the very thing she truly needs.
That’s why we could really use your help. And time is of the essence.
Mom has shown strength and positivity in the face of constant bad news from her doctors. Despite her pain, fear, exhaustion from treatments, she has NEVER let cancer define her, change her love of life and laughter, or interfere with her unique ability to bring happiness to everyone she comes in contact with.
Mom has been here for us through every challenge. Now we want to be here for her, too. By helping her get the medicine that will kick the Big C to the curb.
From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it. If you’d like to share this link on your Facebook and/or Twitter feeds too, we’d be so grateful to you, for helping us get Mamabean as much help and support as possible!
THANK YOU,
Jolie aka Joliebean
Organizer and beneficiary
Chrisann Migliore
Beneficiary